Morocco is unlike anywhere else on earth. The colours, the sounds, the smell of spices drifting through an ancient medina — it gets under your skin in the best possible way. But like any country with deep cultural roots and its own way of doing things, Morocco has a few unwritten rules. Knowing what not to do in Morocco before you arrive can be the difference between an awkward moment and a truly magical trip.
Having spent years exploring the country — from the red walls of Marrakech to the edge of the Sahara — I have picked up plenty of lessons along the way, some the hard way. This guide will help you skip the mistakes and get straight to the good stuff.
1. Don’t Expect to Enter Every Mosque
One of the first things that surprises visitors is that most mosques in Morocco are closed to non-Muslims. It is not a rule designed to be unwelcoming — it simply reflects how sacred these spaces are to the people who pray there five times a day.
There is one important exception: the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. This extraordinary building, rising above the Atlantic Ocean, welcomes non-Muslim visitors on guided tours. If you want to experience the beauty of Moroccan Islamic architecture from the inside, this is your chance — and it is absolutely worth it.
Tip: You can admire the exterior of many mosques, including the Koutoubia in Marrakech. Stand outside at dusk during the call to prayer and let the atmosphere wash over you.
2. Don’t Use Your Left Hand to Eat
This one catches a lot of travellers off guard. In Moroccan culture — as in much of the Arab and Islamic world — the left hand is traditionally considered unclean, associated with hygiene tasks. Using it to eat, pass food, or offer something to someone can cause unintentional offence.
When you sit down for a tagine or a shared meal, use your right hand. Even if you are left-handed, making the effort shows respect and will not go unnoticed by your hosts.
3. Don’t Skip the Haggle in the Souks
Walking through the souks of Fez or Marrakech and paying the first price you are quoted? That is one of the biggest what-not-to-do-in-Morocco moments you can have. Haggling is not rude here — it is part of the culture, a social exchange that both buyer and seller often enjoy.
A good rule of thumb: never pay more than a third of the opening price. Start lower, be friendly, enjoy the back and forth. If you walk away and the vendor calls you back, you have probably found the real price.
Tip: Smile, take your time, and never haggle for something you are not actually willing to buy. It is a game played with good humour on both sides.
4. Don’t Leave Without Trying the Mint Tea
Mint tea in Morocco is not just a drink. It is a gesture of welcome, a moment to slow down, a ritual poured from high above the glass to create that signature frothy top. Refusing it — or rushing through it — misses one of the most genuine expressions of Moroccan hospitality.
Whether it is offered in a shop, a home, or by a riad host, accept the glass and take your time. This small act opens doors that rushing never will.
5. Don’t Rely on Your Card — Cash is King
This is one of those practical what-not-to-do-in-Morocco reminders that saves real headaches. While larger hotels and some restaurants in tourist areas accept cards, much of Morocco — especially in the medinas, markets, and smaller towns — runs entirely on cash.
ATMs are available in most cities and work reliably, but always carry Moroccan dirhams for daily spending. A shared taxi, a bowl of harira, a handwoven basket from the souk — all of these will need cash.
6. Don’t Limit Yourself to Marrakech
Marrakech is wonderful. But Morocco is so much more. Limiting your trip to one city is perhaps the greatest travel mistake of all — and a key what-not-to-do-in-Morocco lesson I wish someone had told me on my first visit.
A few places that deserve your time:
- Asilah — a whitewashed coastal town covered in murals, peaceful and full of art.
- Volubilis — ancient Roman ruins rising out of the Moroccan countryside, genuinely surprising.
- Chefchaouen — the famous blue mountain town, smaller and more relaxed than you might expect.
Each of these places tells a different chapter of Morocco’s story. The country rewards those who go beyond the obvious.
7. Don’t Be Frustrated by the Call to Prayer at 5am
The adhan — the Islamic call to prayer — rings out five times a day across every city, town, and village in Morocco. The first call before sunrise will wake you up, especially if your riad is close to a mosque.
Fighting it or feeling annoyed by it is understandable at first, but fighting it gets you nowhere. Lean into it. Let it be part of the experience. That sound drifting over the rooftops at dawn is one of the things that makes Morocco feel like nowhere else.
8. Don’t Fall for Unofficial Guides
In busy tourist areas — especially around the medinas of Marrakech and Fez — you may encounter people offering to show you around, “just as a friend.” More often than not, the tour ends at a carpet shop or a leather goods store, where your new friend earns a commission whether you buy or not.
This does not mean every person who talks to you has an agenda — Moroccans are genuinely warm and hospitable. But it is worth knowing how to politely decline and stick to your own route. If you want a guided experience, book an official licensed guide through your riad or a reputable local company.
Tip: A firm but friendly “La shukran” (no thank you) said with a smile works in most situations.
9. Don’t Bring Your Drone
If you are a photographer who travels with a drone, this is an important heads-up. Morocco has strict regulations around drones, and customs will confiscate yours at the airport if you try to bring it in without prior authorisation. In many cases, travellers have had their equipment held for the entirety of their trip.
The aerial photography you dream of might not be worth the paperwork — and the risk of losing your gear at arrivals. Leave the drone at home and discover that Morocco’s beauty is just as powerful at street level.
Final Thoughts: Go with Curiosity, Not Just a Checklist
Knowing what not to do in Morocco is really just the beginning. The deeper you go — the more you slow down, accept the unexpected, and let the country reveal itself — the richer the experience becomes. Morocco does not ask you to be perfect. It asks you to be present.
Whether this is your first trip or your fifth, there is always something new to discover. And the best moments are usually the ones you did not plan for — the tea offered by a stranger, the alley that leads somewhere wonderful, the sunset over a rooftop no guidebook ever mentioned.
Have you visited Morocco already? Is there a mistake you made — or a tip that saved you — that other travellers should know? Drop it in the comments below. Every story adds something to the map.
